Greetings, I'm back. I was saddened when I saw the headline in Foster's that we lost one of our fellow veterans, John Rigazio. He will be sadly missed by everyone. I don't think there is anyone who has done more for the community of Rochester than John. Every year John donated water and tonic for our annual cookout for the vets at the Rochester Manor, Pease Air Show, and our annual vets' luncheon at the NH Veterans' Cemetery at Boscawen, NH. His son, who now runs Signal Variety, has followed in his father's footsteps.

On Sept. 13 the RVC was invited to the Moses Paul Masonic Lodge of Dover where they conducted their annual Veterans' Night. They honored 13 of their brothers who had given 60, 50, 40, and 25 years of service to the fraternity. Well over 100 Masons, family, friends, and veterans attended. Before the ceremony we were served a delicious pork dinner with strawberry shortcake, by the Rainbow Girls. I would like to thank the chef's staff and the Rainbow Girls for their incredible service and dinner. Al Benton, Worshipful Master, Stephen Wawkzkiewicz, and I, presented the colors to open the ceremony. I would like to thank Stephen Wawkzkiewicz for inviting us veterans. They donate to so many charities; I would fill half my column if I listed all of them.

On Sept. 22nd we held our POW-MIA ritual at the POW-MIA monument. This event was sponsored by the RVC and Post 1 AMVETS who participated in full uniform. Al Benton was officer of the day, and together we placed a beautiful POW-MIA wreath. The wreath, which was donated by Riverside Rest Home, was made by Carolyn Lazzaro, a staff worker at the home. The remembrance for the missing men will be set up, and the symbolism of the various items, such as a lemon slice representing bitter tears. Their significance was explained by Al Benton. A proclamation from President Barack Obama was read by our RVC Chaplin, Bob Crout-Hamel, when Al and I laid the POW-MIA wreath. We also replaced a POW-MIA flag. Landon Hersey, a student at Rochester Middle School told us he had an uncle who served in Vietnam, and he asked if he could help, so we had him carry the POW-MIA flag. We gave him the old one and he couldn't thank us enough. POW-MIA stands for around 125,000 American military service personnel unaccounted for in wars and conflicts going back to WWI. For those who were not able to make the service, you will be able to see it when we do it on our Vet program at the Metrocast studio on Channel 12. The service was closed with a prayer from our RVC Chaplin, Robert Crout-Hamel.

Red Shirt Friday at the Pink Cadillac Diner had a great turnout with 14 vets present, but the best part was that Norm Dodier was brought there by Clarence Wyatt. He was able to hook Norm's trailer on his truck and haul Norm's motorized wheelchair. We had been visiting Norm at rehab at Colonial Hill, where he had spent over 100 days. Norm said, "It sure is nice to be home." Norm was Past Commander at Post 7, Adjutant Past RVC and AMVETS Aide-de-Camp. The Pink Cadillac gave 10 percent off the bill all day on Red Shirt Friday. At 10 a.m. we went to the Homemakers to have coffee with the vets. The chef made some great muffins to go with the coffee.

More discounts for vets for auto parts. There is a 15 percent discount for parts not on sale, at Advance Auto, 10 percent at Auto Zone.

Post 7 Legion Family donated approximately $6,000 from various fundraisers, to Kim Seckendorf at a Rotary meeting, to go to Howie's Field of Dreams. The Chapter 2 Legion Riders raised $1,500 on Sept. 15 in honor of one of their own who was killed in a car accident on Route 11 five years ago. They will be giving out four $500 scholarships every year.